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Loyal customers flock to Franklin bowling alley on first day of reopening

Jackson Nichols, 10, couldn't wait for Franklin Family Entertainment Center to reopen so that he could play his favorite games. He was one of the first customers when the venue reopened on Friday.(Photo: Kerri Bartlett)

After two months absent of bright lights, coin slots and rumbling bowling lanes, Franklin Family Entertainment Center's most loyal customer Jackson Nichols, 10, happily watched paper tickets come out in a never ending stream on his first day back to the arcade room.

He had just won the jackpot, or 2,300 tickets, on his favorite game "Monster Jackpot."

Hamrick said Jackson, a student with special needs at Fairview Elementary School, had been very patient, despite his deep desire to return to his favorite weekend entertainment spot.

Franklin Family Entertainment Center, a bowling alley, restaurant, bar and game venue, opened for the first time on Friday after closing because of coronavirus on March 16.

"We have been checking the website almost everyday to see when we can come back," Hamrick said.

Matthew Carroll, 24, celebrated his birthday with his family and girlfriend at Franklin Family Entertainment Center on Friday, the first day the center reopened as part of the governor's Tennessee Pledge, phased reopening plan.(Photo: Kerri Bartlett)

"We love everyone here. We come every weekend. They are like family."

Hamrick said being away from the structure of school and with limited places to go, can be difficult for children with Asperger's, a form of autism.

"He loves the bright lights and the repetitive motions. Being here makes him happy and can keep his focus for hours," she said.

Participating in the games and seeing friends at the venue has helped his develop social skills as well as fine motor skills.

Jackson likes the spot so much that his goal is to collect enough tokens to "buy the bowling alley."

Matthew Carroll drove 12 hours from Houston, Texas to celebrate his birthday with his family at Franklin Family Entertainment Center. (Left) Peggy, Brian and Matthew Carroll his girlfriend, Kylee Harner.(Photo: Peggy, Brian)

"They are my most loyal customers, and I have missed seeing them," he said. "I am glad they are here."

Pope said it's been tough since the venue closed in March.

"Reopening almost seems surreal," he said.

Taking a steep economic hit over almost two months has taken a toll, Pope said, leading to the necessity of laying off almost 32 employees, though 14 have been hired back.

"We are working on a skeleton crew right now," he said, but he hopes business will pick up.

Though the establishment is operating at half capacity, in accordance with the reopening guidelines of Gov. Bill Lee's Tennessee Pledge, almost 40 people had come in by mid-day.

Customer Matthew Carroll celebrated his 24th birthday with his family and girlfriend at the bowling alley on Friday.

He drove 12 hours from his home in Houston, Texas to Franklin to be with them.

"It's nice to be normal," he said. "It's great to spend time with my family here in person on my birthday."

Preparation for reopening

Franklin Family Entertainment Center reopened on Friday after being closed since March 16.(Photo: Kerri Bartlett)

Because the 360-capacity venue operates (now at half capacity per state guidelines) as a "bowling alley, bar and restaurant," staff is going "above and beyond" on sanitizing, Pope said.

"They are not exactly sure how to qualify us, so we are doing everything (following all guidelines)," Pope said.

Each staff member's temperature is taken every day, all staff wears a facial mask. Bowling balls and bowling shoes are sanitized, and six-feet social distancing guidelines are kept by closing every other bowling lane and closing close proximity games in the game room.

Pope said they are adapting to business after coronavirus restrictions and will take it day-by-day.

"We are hoping to ramp it up," he said.

Kerri Bartlett covers issues affecting children, families, education and government in Williamson County. She can be contacted at kbartlett@gannett.com, 615-308-8324 or @keb1414 on Twitter.